BARRE TOWN — Doreen Mekkelsen Pinard was delivered into the hands of God on March 16, 2013, surrounded by her loving husband, her five children, their spouses and 11 grandchildren.

She was born on March 18, 1937 in Barre, Vt., to the late Dora Fortier and John Mekkelsen.

She is survived by her husband, Francis Pinard, whom she married on Aug. 20, 1960, in Barre, Vt. She is also survived by her five children, Dr. Frank and Mary (Reilly) Pinard, of Newport Center, Vt., Joanne (Pinard) and Michael Connor, of St. Albans, Vt., Judith (Pinard) and David Guild, of Williamstown, Vt., Mary Beth Pinard, of Hanover, N.H., Pamela (Pinard) and David Hemingway, of Essex Junction, Vt.; and 11 grandchildren, Michael, Sean and Noelle Pinard, Sean, Ryan, Mark and Meghan Connor, Kevin and Shayna Guild, and Bartlett and Ethan Hemingway.

Doreen graduated from Spaulding High School in 1955 and the University of Vermont in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in English. As a student at UVM, she was instrumental in the establishment of the Catholic Newman Center on campus. She was also a pioneer in many other aspects. She was one of the first lifeguards at Lotus Lake Camp and the first lay woman teacher at Marian High School in Barre, Vt. In her later years, she served as a substitute teacher for Spaulding High School and Adult Basic Education.

Her Grammy cookies are famous near and far. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Monica No. 1181, a member of the Central Vermont Hospital Auxiliary, volunteer at the Vermont state Capitol gift shop and the secretary for Spaulding High School class of 1955. She enjoyed spending time playing bridge and mahjong with her dear friends. She was an avid supporter of Spaulding High School athletics, as well as being her grandchildren’s biggest fan.

Her life was rich in faith, which she held quietly and firmly. All who knew her called her a friend, and because of her friendship and her smile, each was a better person than they might otherwise have been. Her life was centered on her family, her church and her friends.

A Mass of Christian burial to celebrate Doreen’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, at St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre, Vt. Friends may gather from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, March 20, at the Pruneau Polli Funeral Home in Barre, Vt. Parking is available across the street at St. Monica Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Monica Church, 79 Summer St., Barre, VT 05641, to purchase two ciborias in memory of Doreen Pinard.

Arrangements are in the care of the Pruneau Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer St., Barre, Vt.